Stay safe on the slopes

9th January 2009

Get fit

You can last longer on the slopes by increasing your fitness, accidents can be avoided by having less tired limbs. Improve your general fitness - especially cardiovascular by swimming, cycling or running up to three months before your ski trip.

Stay safe on the slopes

You should also improve your muscle conditioning especially - thighs, knees and improve your balance and your core muscles Yoga and Pilate's are good.  You'll last longer if you spend a bit less time in the bar the night before and remember to rehydrate; You lose more water at higher altitudes so drink small amounts a lot. Camelbak hydration systems are ideal as you don't need to take gloves off or stop to get a water bottle out.

Start it slowly

Take it easy on the first day. Stretch properly to warm up muscles before you get to the slopes. Don't go stupid on the last day either.

Keep to the pistes

There are more dangers off-piste, like trees and rocks, but if you can't resist virgin powder, take a local guide.

Buy a helmet

Protect your brains with a helmet, they are cheap these days and you needn't look your mum made you with some of the latest designs. Of course there is a similar counter-argument that there is for cycling that helmets cut you off from the outside world and create a false sense of security that encourages greater risks.

Look and listen

Look uphill before you set off, and try to avoid listening to your iPod on the slopes. Your ears provide you with all kinds of early warning like the sound of ice under your ski's or board as well as hearing approaching skiers and boarders behind you.

Avoid being a target

Don't stop in the middle of the piste, don't sit under a brow of a hill, don't carve enormous s shaped turns, so that you go from side to side - you are making it harder for others to avoid you.

Don't be colour blind

In Europe pistes are marked Green for beginners, Blue for Improver's, Red for Intermediates, Black for experts. But in the real world these colours are to be taken with a pinch of salt. Gradings vary from one resort to another (Espace d'Killy for instance its recognised that a Blue can be the same as a Red in other resorts.) Not just that but the same piste can be greatly affected by shade, wind and the number of skiers. Icy crowded greens and blues are "harder" than an empty, perfectly groomed red.

Don't be silly

Men tend to ski or board more recklessly than women.. don't be stupid on the slopes, take it at your own pace.

The risks are relative

Skiing and Snowboarding is good for you.. it's great exercise, fresh mountain air and endorphins. Be sensible on the slopes and you'll have a great time. Remember that part of the exhilaration of skiing and snowboarding is the risk, ski within yourself and try to stay as safe as possible.

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